Edgar Palacio school for Disabled Children

A few weeks ago we visited a school for children with disabilities.  They go to school in the morning and then in the afternoon they take classes in music, art or dance.  They are so talented and each week they put on a performance for tourists who come to their school.  They have a little shop and sell things from Ecuador.  Above is a tagua pod from a tagua tree.  Each huge pod may have dozens of seeds in it covered in a hard woody substance.  They peel it off and use the seeds inside to make jewlery.  It's very pretty.  Of course I had to buy a necklace and earrings that the students made.

Some of the paintings done by the students at the school.  They are really good and some had a price tag of $100!

Another painting with the picture of the artist in the left hand corner.

Some shots of their store inside the school where they sell items to make money for the school.

Some masks for sale for $3.00

Two of the student teachers from the university putting together some baskets made out of foam.

One of the students putting together a puzzle.

The sound proof ceiling made out of egg crates in one of the music rooms.

Edgar Palacio is the founder of the school.  He is an Ecuadorian musician.  Here the students had just finished their program for us.  Some of them in native costumes.

A classroom.  All the students were at recess.

Some more of their art work.

Taking a bow.  There were about 50 seniors there who were with a tour group from the U.S.  This was one of the stops on the tour and one of the highlights!  These kids were amazing and they loved performing for us.

Here is a sample of one of the dances!

A young man and woman in traditional dress.

More dancing.  We sure were smiling when we left the school that day!!